MHC Dish From the Pitch 2013 MHC Dish From the Pitch 6
WEEK 6- June 30, 2013
MHC - ALL AGES WELCOME
by Aislinn Leonard
As physical a game as hurling is, the
MHC has over 300 members of all ages,
ranging from our preschool bobbleheads
to middle-aged adult league members in
their fifties. At the MHC, we are a family,
and the whole family plays.
Natalie Meller, at four years old, is
the MHC’s youngest member. Following in
her father Shannon’s footsteps, and
quickly chasing her brother Gabe’s legend,
she’s a beast out on the field racking up
goals, using her quick feet to beat
opponents to the sliothar, and kicking the
ball any chance she can get. When asked
what her favorite thing about hurling is,
she replied, “Umm, scoring the goals, and
practice!” Natalie is a silent force. She
never says a word at practice, but her
determination and drive speak in very big
ways for her, and her future as a shining
star is secure.
As a veteran, and our most senior
player (by just a few days), Pat Minster of
All Tools, looks back fondly at his 13
seasons with the MHC and mentioned that
he started playing hurling because when
he went to sign up his son, Sean, he was
asked to join too! Pat plays keeper and
loves the point of view from the net
because it allows him to see the entire
field, which gives him an advantage when
he does get a chance to play offense and
score goals instead of save them. Pat also
uses the important skills and many
lessons learned back at goal to help coach
the U11s. His favorite thing about the MHC
is the way we can all battle to the death on
the field, but once the whistle blows we
are all friends again. Pat said, “It’s really
great that you can walk down the sidelines
and ask someone if they have an extra
brat or if they want to share a beer. We’re
a family.”
Four year olds and fifty year olds
alike love hurling and the MHC family that
comes with it. At any age, Milwaukee
hurling is all about the craic.